The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) signed Wednesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to strengthen the government’s fight against corruption and bureaucracy.

PACC’s Belgica said their partnership with ARTA will include sharing critical information and conduct of joint investigations.

“This agreement is a big step forward in developing and strengthening the anti-corruption campaign of the President and in achieving the administration’s goal of ensuring transparency and accountability in the government,” he said.

ARTA’s Belgica said the signing of MOA will fast-track and strengthen fact-finding investigations.

He said the fact-finding process usually takes the longest time in an investigation.

But as ARTA and PACC partner for sharing information, it will accelerate the fact-finding process.

“Because we can do joint investigation, we can submit a more comprehensive recommendation to the President,” the ARTA chief added.

Both ARTA and PACC directly report to the Office of the President. The latter has jurisdiction over Presidential appointees that violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, while the former, although limited to red tape issues, covers any public official or employee even until the barangay level.

“When there is red tape, there is corruption,” ARTA’s Belgica said in Filipino: That is why I believe that it is no accident that partnership will also eradicate the government’s diseases: red tape and corruption. My elder brother and I promise to confront anyone who obstructs a clean and orderly public service.”

PACC’s Belgica said prior to the MOA signing, his office and ARTA have conducted two joint investigations relating to the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Health.